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Come to BethlehemMore than 2,000 years of lively history . . . Today, Bethlehem is indisputably one of the world's most celebrated religious places. It owes its fame not least to an early journey: it was in Bethlehem that Mary and Joseph found (admittedly) modest quarters, and it was here that Jesus Christ came into the world.
Indeed, long before the age of modern tourism, the town was one of the star attractions of the Middle East. And Bethlehem has been welcoming visitors from around the world ever since.
The historic and religious diversity of this ancient Palestinian community is everywhere apparent. The town of Bethlehem, whose name in Hebrew means "house of bread" and in Arabic, "house of meat,' is sacred to each of the great monotheistic faiths.
For Jews, it is the place where Rachel died and David was anointed King of Israel. Christians revere the town as the birthplace of Jesus, who is also held in esteem by Moslems as the divinely-inspired Prophet Isa. Thus a trip to the Holy Land without a visit to Bethlehem is just unthinkable.A Blend of Cultures Modern Bethlehem is a spirited and energetic little town of many facets. Nestled in attractive hill country just 6 miles south of Jerusalem, its fertile vineyards and ancient olive groves stand in sharp contrast to the surrounding wilderness. 
Bethlehem's architecture is characterized by cultural diversity. Its silhouette is dominated in equal measure by mosques and churches: a symbol of the increased intermingling of the region's peoples. Today, the Bethlehem area has a population of 61,000, half of whom are Moslem and half of whom are Christian.
A Place Where History Surrounds You 
In the heart of Bethlehem is the Church of the Nativity one of the world's oldest sanctuaries. Originally built in the 4th Century by St. Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine, it was later rebuilt under Emperor Justinian in A.D. 530.
The church is constructed over the grotto where the infant Jesus first entered the world. Even today, there are numerous old houses in the town built into such caves. (In early times they served as shelters for livestock.) For Christians, the "Silver Star of Bethlehem" in the Grotto of the Nativity is a gleaming reminder of the birth of the Son of God.
Evidence of the church's turbulent history can be readily seen in the fabric of the building: for centuries it was one of the most fought-over of the Holy Places. It was only by coincidence that the building escaped destruction during the Persian invasion of A.D. 614, the only major church in the country to do so. Later, the building was seized and defended by a succession of Moslem and Crusader armies, which explains the fortress-like appearance of the church's exterior.
Today, this ancient house of worship is shared by the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian faiths. The Church of the Nativity complex also comprises a Greek and an Armenian monastery, as well as the Franciscan church of St. Catherine with its idyllic cloisters. Broadcast throughout the world by radio and television, midnight mass is held here every December 24th. Christmas is also celebrated by the Greek Orthodox on January 7th, and the Armenians on January 18th.A City of Many Faces 
Bordering the Church of the Nativity is Manger Square, the center of Bethlehem. Located here are the tourist information office, the post office and the police station. Cafe's and restaurants encourage the traveler to linger for a while to enjoy the bustling scene. Bethlehem's cuisine reflects its multi-cultural heritage, with its numerous restaurants serving a variety of falafel,fish, vegetables and kebabs.
Only a couple of narrow streets away, Bethlehem reveals the exotic, Middle Eastern side of its character. Here, romantic winding passageways form the perfect venue for individual exploration. There are no language problems in Bethlehem: English is widely spoken, and German and French are popular subjects at Bethlehem University.
In Bethlehem's picturesque bazaar, shopkeepers offer mother of-pearl artwork and olive wood carvings. Such traditional hand/crafts an important source of local incomeare characteristic souvenirs of the city.
Every Saturday morning, the town's colorful marketplace is thronged with buyers and sellers. At this weekly open air market, produce from the nearby countryside is offered for sale. The noise level leaves no room for doubt: the high decibel haggling you hear all around you is definitely that of a traditional Middle Eastern market!
The town's hotels and hostels are concentrated around Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity. They range from the simple to the sophisticated. As Bethlehem has grown, the town's tourist infrastructure has not expanded with it, making it a highly attractive investment opportunity.
Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to reserve ahead at Easter and Christmas. Bethlehem's proximity to Jerusalem makes it an attractive alternative for those wishing to avoid the stress of mass tourism. Though world-famous, Bethlehem is still largely undiscovered, and offers a tremendous wealth of sightseeing opportunities.Bethlehem: Heading for the Year 2000 
The process of peace and reconciliation in the Middle East is opening a new era in Bethlehem's long history. Economically, the peace process is creating numerous opportunities for investors and new industries.
Tourism in particular is likely to develop into an even more important mainstay of the local economy, for the dawn of the new millennium is bound to draw large numbers of visitors to this historic city.
It's time you discovered us too!For further information tourism and Bethlehem 2000 please contact:
Bethlehem 2000
Manger Square
P.O. Box 2000
Bethlehem
PALESTINE
Phone: ++972-2-742-227
What is the ideal journey, whether spiritually or physically? What does it mean to be a millennial traveler, pilgrim or seeker, especially in the Holy Land? How should the church relate to Israel? Join the "Holy Land 2000" discussion on our bulletin-board. Enter the Magi Forum... |
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where
millennial journeys begin™Your comments are welcome: feedback@jaygary.com Copyright © 1999 by Bimillennial Press. All rights reserved. If you find this site
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us. URL: http://www.jaygary.com/starof2000/travel/b2welcom.htm Revised: June 1, 1999
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